Access to novel cancer medicines in four countries in Central and Eastern Europe in relation to clinical benefit

Hofmarcher T, Szilagyiova P, Gustafsson A, Dolezal T, Rutkowski P, Baxter C, Karamousouli E

This study examines access to novel cancer medicines in four countries in Central and Eastern Europe – Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia – in relation to clinical benefit. The study includes 124 indications of 51 cancer medicines with marketing authorization by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2011–2020, with follow-up of national reimbursement decisions until 2022.

The study shows that the degree of reimbursement of newer cancer medicines differs greatly between the four countries, ranging from 64% in Czechia to 51% in Poland, 40% in Hungary, and 19% in Slovakia. Notably, all countries seem to prioritize the reimbursement of medicines with a high clinical benefit (p-value <0.05), as defined by the ESMO-MCBS scoring system. Median waiting time from EMA approval to national reimbursement ranged from 27 months in Poland to 37 months in Hungary. No significant differences in waiting time in relation to clinical benefit was observed in any country (p=0.25–0.84).

Limited public health care resources in these countries call for a prioritization of access to effective cancer medicines. Incorporation of the ESMO-MCBS in reimbursement assessments and decisions could aid in better utilization of limited resources to deliver more effective cancer care.

Read more and download the article

ESMO Open, 2023
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esmoop.2023.101593